Which medications are used for ALS?

A basic distinction must be made between disease-slowing and symptomatic drugs. The first and main disease-slowing drug is riluzole, which was approved for the treatment of ALS in Germany in July 1996. Since then, the drug has been used in more than 90 % of all ALS patients who are being cared for at specialized ALS centers. Riluzole is a drug that moderately slows down the progression of ALS. Riluzole is not expected to provide immediate symptom relief.

Numerous other medications are used to alleviate symptoms , which are referred to as “symptomatic medication”. More than 100 different medications are used to relieve muscle spasms, spasticity, unwanted salivation, respiratory effort, pain and other symptoms. More than 70% of all ALS patients take at least one symptomatic medication (in addition to Riluzole) to reduce selected symptoms.